Cassi let out a yawn as she walked down the stairs the next morning. She was all dressed for the day, and ready to fill her stomach before it was time to go. She had on black dress shirt with ruffles at the end of the sleeves and around the high collar, and it was tucked into a black skirt that stopped mid-high. Over the shirt was a dark purple vest that had black buttons and trim. She had on black tights, and finally back ankle boots with two inch heels. As she was walking into the dining room, Ginny ran past her as quick as possible. Cassi frowned in confusion as she watched the young girl flee up the stairs. She shook her head deciding she'd ask later. She went into the dining room though stopped when seeing Harry.
"Cassi, there you are." Molly said. "Come sit for a spot of breakfast."
Cassi nodded her head though she was still confused as to why Harry was here. She sat down next to George.
"What did I do?" Harry asked Ron referring to Ginny's quick escape.
"Ginny...she's been talking about you all summer." Ron said. "A bit annoying really."
Harry nodded then looked over to Cassi as George was passing her some biscuits.
"Hullo, Cassi." Harry said. "How are you?"
"Very well, thank-you." Cassi asked. "And not to be rude, but...what in Merlin's name are you doing here?"
Before Harry could answer, Arthur came in through the front door calling out a greeting. Everyone, but Harry, returned the greeting.
"What a night." Arthur said. "Nine raids. Nine!"
Cassi knew Arthur had to be tired after spending so much time last night up and about. She wouldn't be functioning this morning if she had been out as late as him.
"Raids?" Harry asked.
"Dad works in the Ministry of Magic." Ron explained. "In the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts office. Dad loves muggles. Thinks they're fascinating."
Arthur kissed Molly on her cheek then sat down in his proper place at the head of the table. He then spotted that, besides Cassi, there was another dark-haired individual at the table.
"And who are you?" He asked Harry.
Harry stopped eating as he realized he was being rude by not have already introduced himself to the Head of the Weasley Family.
"Oh, sorry, sir." Harry said. "I'm Harry. Harry Potter."
"Good Lord, are you really?" Arthur asked. "Well, Ron's told us all about you, of course. When did he get here?"
Cassi was wondering the same thing. Maybe now she'll finally learn the answer.
"This morning." Molly said. "Your sons flew that enchanted car of yours to Surrey and back last night."
Cassi dropped her fork in shock. They did what?! They took the flying car out to Surrey to bring Harry here?
"Did you really?" Arthur asked looking excited. "How'd it go?"
The twins, Ron, and Harry all started speaking at once, but stopped when Molly hit Arthur on the shoulder.
"I mean, that was very wrong indeed, boys." Arthur backtracked. "Very wrong of you."
Said boys tried to hold back grins, but they were doing very poor jobs of it.
"I can't believe you guys!" Cassi said frowning. "How could you do that?"
Molly nodded her head along with what Cassi was saying. Finally someone understood.
"Without me?!" Cassi then added.
Molly gave an exasperated groan as Fred and George laughed. Even Harry and Ron grinned widely at the young witch who was frowning at her friends.
"Sorry, Cas, but we couldn't all fit." Fred said.
"So, you're saying I'm fat?" Cassi asked with a quirked brow.
Fred nearly choked on his food as George snickered knowing that Fred had messed up.
"What? No!" Fred said. "I'm just saying we already had a full car! You're not fat."
Cassi narrowed her eyes at Fred making him sweat a few moments before she snorted in amusement as she looked away. Fred pouted at Cassi though said nothing.
"Now, Harry, you must know all about muggles." Arthur said once Cassi was done teasing Fred. "Tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?"
He asked this completely serious as Harry blinked confused by the question. He tried to think of an answer, but he wasn't really coming up with one. He was saved by the screech of an owl that was flying towards the Burrow.
"That will be Errol with the post." Molly said.
The old Great Owl came flying towards the open window, but ended up hitting the closed side instead. Everyone winced as the bird fell backwards into the plants.
"Fetch it for me, Percy, please." Molly said.
Percy nodded as he got up to get the letters from Errol who managed to get up onto the windowsill.
"Errol?" Harry asked.
"He's always doing that." Ron said.
He was a tough bird though. Cassi could give him that because no matter how many times he hits or plows into anything he gets right back up.
"Oh, look, it's our Hogwarts letters." Percy said. "They sent us Harry's as well."
"Dumbledore, must know you're here, Harry." Arthur said. "Doesn't miss a trick that man."
Harry grinned glad he got his letter, but he looked to Cassi. Where was her letter? A second screech entered the air just then, and everyone looked to see Scorch flying towards the Burrow. Unlike Errol, the small screech owl made it through the window with ease. He flew over to Cassi to drop the letter into her awaiting hands before perching on the back of her chair. She tore off a piece of toast to give to the bird who gobbled it up.
"This lot won't come cheap, Mum." Fred said. "The spell books alone are very expensive."
Cassi frowned at the supply list wondering why they needed so many books from Gilderoy Lockhart. She knew he was very popular right now, but this was ridiculous. She didn't even understand the appeal most of the witches seemed to have for him.
"We'll manage." Molly said as she took Harry's letter to look at the supply list. "There's only one place we're going to get all of this. Diagon Alley."
Cassi adjusted her cloak as she stood with the Weasley family and Harry in front of the fireplace. Molly grabbed the floo powder that would be used to get them to Diagon Alley.
"Alright, here we are, Harry." Molly said. "You got first, Dear."
Harry frowned in confusion as he wondered why Molly wanted him to step inside the large fireplace.
"But Harry's never traveled by floo powder before, Mum." Ron pointed out.
"Floo powder?" Harry asked.
Sometimes it's easy to forget that even though he's a half blood that he wasn't raised in the magical world.
"Oh, then you go first, Ron, so Harry can see how it's done." Molly said.
Ron nodded as he stepped over to his mother to grab a handful of floo powder. Molly helped Ron step in then had everyone else step back out of the way.
"Diagon Alley." Ron spoke clearly as he tossed the powder down.
Green flames shot up to engulf him, and Harry's eyes widened in complete shock. Cassi chuckled at the expression on his face.
"One of the many ways of travel for wizards and witches everywhere." She said to Harry grinning. "If you're not too careful, you'll land somewhere you didn't want to be."
Harry frowned because he didn't like the sound of that. He also didn't like the thought of being consumed in green flames.
"You see?" Molly asked. "It's quite easy, dear. Don't be afraid. Come on."
Arthur gently pushed him forward as Molly coaxed him into the fireplace.
"Now, take your floo powder." Molly said.
Harry cautious reached forward to take a handful of floo powder into his hand.
"That's it." Molly said. "Very good. Now don't forget to speak very, very clearly."
Harry gulped a bit then found his eyes turning to Cassi. She grinned at him in a reassuring manner. Harry took a deep breath.
"Diagonally." Harry said with the words jumbling together.
He threw the powder down then disappeared in green flames as Cassi frowned. Well, he wasn't going to be with the rest of the group, was he?
"What did he say?" Molly asked.
"Diagonally." Arthur replied.
"Thought he did." Molly said frowning in concern.
Molly shook her head telling the others that they needed to get to Diagon Alley.
"Cassi dear, you next." Molly said.
Cassi stepped forward to grab some floo powder from Molly. Cassi stepped into the fireplace while minding her head.
"Diagon Alley." Cassi said clearly.
She threw the powder down then disappeared in green flames. She reappeared in a new fireplace, and she stepped out. She dusted off a bit of soot off of her shoulder. Cassi joined Ron off to the side, so to get out of the way.
"Cassi? I thought Harry was to be after me." Ron said.
"He accidentally mispronounced." Cassi said.
She didn't have to explain anymore because Ron knew that if someone didn't speak clearly they could end up pretty far from where they needed to be.
"Do you think he'll be okay?" Ron asked.
"I'm sure he'll be fine, Ron." Cassi said.
Fred then appeared with George right after him. They hit each other, and ended up in the floor. Cassi shook her head at the two of them. She held out her hand to them, and one by one she got them up.
"Told you that Harry wouldn't be here." George said.
"Wonder where he ended up." Fred said.
"I'm sure we'll find out later." Cassi said shrugging.
Cassi stood between Fred and George in Flourish and Blotts. She already bought all her books, and she had them tucked under her arm. Harry was still missing, but Arthur assured everyone that they would find him before leaving Diagon Alley.
"Harry, there you are!"
Cassi turned her head seeing that said boy she was just thinking about was finally here. She nodded to him then sighed when someone announced Gilderoy Lockhart had arrived. Cassi didn't want to be here to watch him grin and laugh and sign people's copies of books. However, Molly had insisted on staying around. Lockhart walked out with a that cheesy grin on his face as all the witches clapped for him vigorously.
"Excuse me, little girl." A man from the Prophet said. "Need a photo for the Daily Prophet."
Lockhart immediately started posing as Cassi rolled her eyes. She really didn't understand why people seemed to like this guy so much.
"Fred, George, put me out of my misery." Cassi said.
"Only if you put us out of ours first." They replied in unison.
Molly shushed them, and all three of them groaned in unison. Arthur chuckled at the three of them.
"It's can't be." Lockhart said getting their attention. "Harry Potter?"
Everyone gasped while turning to Harry whose eyes widened in surprise. The photographer grabbed Harry to pull him to the front of the room. He tossed him at Lockhart who put his arm around Harry's shoulders. Harry stood their stiffly as his photo was taken. Cassi shook his head feeling bad for Harry.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, what an extraordinary moment this is." Lockhart said. "When young Harry stepped into Flourish and Blotts this morning to purchase my biography Magical Me,"
The witches all started cheering and applauding. Lockhart grinned soaking up all the attention. Cassi's eyebrow just silently twitched in annoyance.
"Which is currently celebrating it's 22nd week on top the Daily Prophet's best seller list." Lockhart said. "He had no idea he would be leaving with my entire collection of work...free of charge."
He pushed the books into Harry's arms then pushed him away. He sat down telling the ladies to come forward.
"Now, Harry, you give me those, and I'll get them signed." Molly said as she took them. "All of you wait outside."
Cassi didn't have to be told twice. She grabbed George by his wrist to pull him through the crowd, and he pulled Fred along with them by holding onto his wrist. The others followed along. They were almost to the door when they were met by the last person Cassi wanted to see.
"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter?" Draco asked blocking their path. "Famous Harry Potter can't even go to a bookshop without making the front page."
Cassi sighed wondering why Draco had to be here when they were. She saw enough of his mug over the summer.
"Leave him alone." Ginny said stepping forward.
"Oh, look, Potter, you got yourself a girlfriend." Draco said.
Cassi frowned about to tell him to bugger off, but Lucius's imposing form appeared behind Draco. She bit back the retort as she looked up at her uncle. He put his cane on Draco's shoulder, and the young blonde frowned knowing immediately it was his father without having to turn.
"Now, now, Draco, play nicely." Lucius lightly chided as he pushed his son to the side with his cane. "Mr. Potter...Lucius Malfoy."
He held out his hand to Harry, and the young wizard reached out to shake hands.
"We meet at last." Lucius said. "Forgive me."
He pulled Harry close, which had Cassi stiffening as she narrowed her eyes. Lucius used his cane to push Harry's hair out of the way to look at his scar.
"Your scar is legend." Lucius said. "As, of course, is the wizard who gave it to you."
Cassi's jaw clenched while wanting nothing more than to pull Harry away from Lucius.
"Voldemort killed my parents." Harry said as he pulled away. "He was nothing more than a murderer."
Draco looked after at Cassi when 'murderer' left Harry's lips. She met his gaze as he mouthed 'you'd know all about that'. Her hands clenched tightly though she kept her face neutral.
"Hmm, you must be very brave to mention his name." Lucius said. "Or very foolish."
"Fear of the name only increases of the thing itself." Hermione said bravely.
Draco glared at the muggle-born who spoke out to his father. Cassi, however, grinned.
"And you must be...Miss Granger?" Lucius asked as he looked to Draco.
The younger blonde nodded his head as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"Yes, Draco has told me all about you and your parents." Lucius said while looking down at Hermione if she was just a worm.
Hermione glanced back to where her parents were being questioned by Arthur. Cassi glared at her uncle as Hermione looked back to him.
"Muggles, aren't they?" Lucius asked.
Lucius then turned his judgmental gaze onto the Weasley siblings who all stood together.
"Let's see, red-hair, vacant expressions," Lucius began then grabbed one of Ginny's books. "Tatty second-hand book...you must be the Weasleys."
"Yes, they are." Cassi said as she stepped up getting Lucius's attention. "And they are my friends. Do not be so quick to judge them, Uncle."
Lucius narrowed his eyes at Cassi who met his gaze without so much as a blink.
"Cassiopeia, I was wondering where you were." Lucius said. "Draco and I went to your home to have you join us today. Your filthy house-elf told us you had left to spend time with..."
He paused to look at the Weasleys, Harry, and Hermione before he looked back to Cassi.
"The lower class." Lucius said.
Cassi felt her temper start to flare, but she held it back knowing that if she lost it that her uncle would win.
"I find that I enjoy the 'lower class' much more than the 'upper class'." Cassi said. "The upper class is rather boring."
Fred and George snorted in amusement, and before Lucius could reprimand Cassi, Arthur appeared.
"Kids, it's a bit mad in here." He said. "Let's go outside."
"Well, well, Weasley Senior." Lucius greeted mockingly.
"Lucius." Arthur replied looking unfazed.
Cassi grinned up at Arthur because she always respected how un-intimidated he was by other purebloods or the 'upper class'.
"How is it at the Ministry, Arthur?" Lucius asked. "With all those raids. I really hope they're paying you overtime. Though by the look of this, I'd say not. What's the use of being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"
Cassi was about to snap at Lucius right then, but Fred and George both grabbed her to pull her back. She growled though she remained silent.
"We have a very different idea of what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy." Arthur said.
"Clearly." Lucius replied then glanced over at Hermione's parents. "Associating with muggles."
He shook his head then stepped forward to put Ginny's book back into her cauldron. Cassi frowned when seeing he put two books back into the cauldron than one.
"Just when I thought your family could sink no lower." Lucius said. "I'll see you at work."
He then looked to Cassi who was still in the twins arms to keep her from lashing out.
"You should watch who you associate with, Cassiopeia." Lucius said. "You are to marry into my family. I do not want your mistakes staining the family name."
He then left the shop before Cassi could tell him to shove his wand where the sun didn't shine. Draco then stepped in front of Harry.
"See you at school." Draco said.
He then went after Lucius as the twins finally let go of Cassi since the objects of her rage were gone. Cassi took a deep breath then stepped in front of her friends.
"I'm sorry on their behalf." She said dipping her head to them.
She left the shop after that while not waiting for a reply. She stood outside the shop taking another deep breath. Today just sucked.
Cassi hurried with the rest of the Weasley's towards platform 9-3/4. Arthur told the four eldest to go first, and Cassi followed after George through the wall. Cassi immediately snatched up Lathrop's cage off of her trolley then let the baggage handler take the rest of her things. She saw Percy helping Ginny onto the train after their parents handed her over to the older Weasley. Cassi tilted her head wondering where Harry and Ron were.
"Come on, Cas." George said holding out his hand to her as he stepped onto the train.
Cassi took his hand to let him pull her up onto the train. George kept hold on her hand as she and him followed Fred down the train car. Since they were running late there weren't any compartments that were completely empty. They soon found one that had their dear captain Oliver along with Katie Bell.
"Ah, Oli, Katie, mind if we sit with you?" Cassi asked.
The two shook their heads, so Cassi and the twins stepped into the compartment. Cassi squeezed between Fred and George on one of the seats. She let Lathrop out to scurry about. He went over to Fred then climbed up his arms to curl around his neck.
"Traitor!" Cassi said pouting.
Lathrop just 'duk'ed once then settled down completely. Fred smirked at Cassi then yelped when she hit his arm. George chuckled at his brother and best mate as they got in a verbal argument about abuse. Fred thought it shouldn't be allowed, but Cassi said she had a right to use it when one of her best mates is being a prat. Oliver and Katie shook their heads though said nothing. They just hoped the arguing didn't last all the way to Hogwarts.
"Hey," Cassi broke off the fight. "Did either of you see Harry and Ron before we got onto the train?"
"Nope." The twins said in unison.
